Man UP - Wilson Middle School

What a fantastic way to end the school year with our last ManUP! meeting of the year! This morning, one of my good friends, Vantris Patterson came in and blessed the ManUP! boys with her expertise and wisdom. There was so much positive energy in the room, and her message was right on point.

She spoke to the students about the importance of mindfulness and healthy ways to deal with anxiety and stress. She reminded them that transition and change are not something to fear, but something to embrace. For our 8th graders preparing to enter high school, she encouraged them to welcome the challenge and strive for greatness.

She also taught the students breathing techniques they can use throughout the day, especially first thing in the morning to help center themselves and stay focused. The boys were highly engaged, asked great questions, and truly connected with the message.

She modeled her presentation from the book, Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. She also made sure that each 8th grade student left with something special…a copy of the book for them to read over the summer.

Excellent job, VanTris! We truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to pour into our young men here at Wilson Middle School. Your message was powerful, meaningful, and right on time.

Huge shout out to two of my fraternity brothers, Billy Carter and Faron Ellison, for kicking off the ManUP! Speaker Series for the second semester here at Wilson Middle School.

These two brothers did an outstanding job captivating and inspiring our ManUP! boys to strive for excellence and to do better in life. Billy focused on the importance of setting realistic goals and executing them with purpose, while Faron honed in on the power of grit and how discipline shapes success.

We have many new faces in ManUP! this year and already I’m seeing progress and many of them as students.

Two phenomenal brothers. Two powerful presentations.

We here at Wilson salute you both! Job well done!

Big shoutout to my new friend and first-time speaker for the ManUP! boys, Alexander. He’s a law student here in San Diego and currently working with the DA’s office in Riverside. Major respect for stepping up and sharing his story with the boys.

Alex spoke truth. He expressed that just because you didn’t have it easy growing up doesn’t mean you can’t make it. He’s living proof that hard work pays off. He reminded the boys that none of us choose how we come into this world, but we do choose how we carry ourselves, especially when no one’s watching. Integrity matters.

He also hit on something we all need to hear…it’s okay to ask for help. Too many adults still struggle with that concept and it was key in turnkng his life around. Great message that was delivered with heart and honesty. Job well done, Alexander.

Huge shoutout to my friend and fraternity brother, Britt Davis, for stopping by Room 453 this morning to spend time with the ManUP! boys.

Britt is a former NFL wide receiver who signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He also went on to play with the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. He talked to the boys about the grit, discipline, and hard work it took to reach the professional level—and how those same qualities are transferable beyond sports.

Since retiring from football, Britt has built a successful career in Human Resources. He’s now a Senior Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Torrey Pines and serves on the board of Junior Achievement of San Diego.

His message to the boys was simple but powerful: “The Power of Who You Are.” It’s OK to be different. Embrace your uniqueness.

He also dropped a line that stuck with everyone: Being a man is a verb, not a noun. In other words, masculinity isn’t a fixed identity. It’s defined by your actions, choices, and how you carry yourself. It’s something you do, not just something you are.

Well done, Brother Davis. Your impact was real!

Another Friday, another blessing for the ManUP! boys this morning. Big kudos to one of my newest frat brothers and great friend, Sergeant Major Marquise Shawn Young, for stopping by the ManUP! program and sharing his powerful story with the young men.

Shawn Young has had an eventful journey—growing up in the tough conditions of Memphis, Tennessee, he faced many challenges but learned from his downfalls. He spoke about the impact of finding that one mentor, Coach Jones, who believed in him and helped put him on the right path.

After 27 years of dedicated service in the military, Sergeant Major Young is set to retire later this month. We salute you, good brother! The kids were fully engaged and eager to learn throughout his presentation.

Job well done, Brother Young—thank you for taking the time to inspire and uplift our young men this morning. We truly appreciate you! 👌🏾🙏🏾

Good morning, Facebook family!

I want to take a moment to thank the great Councilmember Henry Foster III for stopping by the ManUP! program last week and sharing his wisdom with our young men. What a privilege for these boys to hear from someone I consider a local celebrity!

He reminded the boys that making mistakes is part of life—as long as you learn from them. Over time, setbacks can become valuable lessons, so it’s important to persevere and keep your eyes on the prize.

Councilmember Foster, who leads District 4 here in San Diego, is doing a fantastic job helping our communities thrive. The boys truly enjoyed his presence, and we’re grateful for his time. A big thank you as well to his Chief of Staff, Daniel Horton, for making this special visit possible.

Lastly, I want to thank Brother Foster and the city of San Diego for awarding The ManUP! Program with a proclamation with giving us our own day here in San Diego. “Roosevelt Johnson, City Heights Hero Day - January 18, 2025. Sincerely humbled! 🙏🏾

Job well done Nupes!👌🏾

Good morning, Facebook family!

I want to take a moment to give a big shoutout to my fraternity brother, James Nathan, for coming out this morning and blessing the young men of ManUP! with his time. He shared insights about his career as a detective with the San Diego Police Department and walked them through the process of becoming a police officer.

He emphasized that the journey starts now—while they’re still teenagers. He stressed the importance of keeping a clean record, especially for Black and Brown boys, because you don’t want anything from your past to come back and haunt you. He also spoke on the importance of choosing the right company to keep.

The boys were engaged, inquisitive, and truly inspired by his words. Brother Robinson made a lasting impact on them today, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Job well done, Brother Robinson!

The ManUP! boys had a productive morning, thanks to Xavier Jonesand Kahlil Bryant’s visit and inspiring presentation on the barbering industry. Kahlil, a master barber, shared the pathway to becoming a barber, while Xavier showcased his skills by giving Daryl a fresh look. The presentation sparked interest among the boys who were very attentive and inquisitive! Xavier and Kahlil are barbers at 'Continued Beauty!' located at 6760 University Avenue, San Diego, 92115. They are fantastic with kids, so if you’re in need of a barber, please don’t hesitate to contact them at (619)727-4405. Job well done!

Another week, another blessing! Shout out to my childhood friend LaMonte Richmond for driving from Los Angeles to San Diego this morning just to speak to the ManUP! boys. He expressed the importance of reading and writing and how these elements helped shape his career as retired California Highway Patrolman. He also went in-depth on the importance of family and how choosing the right friends can take you to a lot of places that very few have gone. Help me salute my brother on a job well done! !

What a way to start Founders’ Day  for the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Shout out to Brother Ahmed Wiggins so for coming out this morning and blessing the ManUP! boys. Very powerful message. He taught them about “Mental Models” and how to
“Pivot” in life when things just don’t seem right. This brother has a true gift of speaking! Job well done and Happy J5 to all those Nupes out there handling Kappa business.